Okay, so I am really downsizing my camera equipment. The main reason is that we have 2 little kids now and the time is rare to go on full blown photo trips.
Part of the downsizing was to get a better camera, the 1DX, and go from the 400 DO to the 500 Sigma Sport. It basically didn't cost me much to do the switch.
Here are just a few examples. Keep in mind, this was the first time I ever used the 1DX (from 5D3/1D4) and there was no light.... The exif is stripped, sorry, it's just the way I export my files...
So, what do I think of the lens? Below is a summary of my initial thoughts:
1. The lens is built like a tank. I have owned the Canon 500 IS V1, 500 IS V2, 300 2.8V1, Sigma 120-300 OS (not sport) and I have to admit, the build quality of this lens is second to none. The exterior of the lens sounds just like the 500 IS II when you tap it with your fingernails. Metal. It just oozes quality. The MF ring is very wide and very nicely damped, if a little tight.
2. The weight is a little more than the 500II, but it is very manageable. I went out for a few hours today to try this thing out, and I wasn't bothered by it, holding it by the foot.
3. The AF is extremely quick, and accurate. I haven't messed around with the dock and it's AF customization yet. I know people are going to doubt me, but I find the AF extremely robust. Examples below:
The AF is so quick and quiet. I am used to the Canon equivalents. Been shooting them for years, and I feel this is at least as good. NO JOKE.
4. The OS seems to work very well, but the VF is a little jumpier than the Canon equivalents. I have read that you can change settings with the dock, so I will be attempting that shortly.
5. Work with the Sigma TC-2001. The files are sharp, wide open but obviously not as sharp as the bare lens. See below. 1000mm, f8, ISO3200, handheld.
Thanks so much for your initial impressions. Your results confirm the praise Brad Hill has been giving his Nikon version up against the Nikon 500 FL.
Your point number 4 about the VF stability is actually one of two reasons I sold my Sigma 150-600C. Even after using the dock setting to set it at the most stable option it was just a little too annoying to me after years of rock solid VF stability from Canon IS. The OS worked to spec but the VF bugged me. There were other reasons I sold it but that was a key one.
I was eyeing this Sigma since announcement but the thing that was keeping me from being an early adopter was the VF stability concern I had from my previous Sigma.
Please let me know how it is after you change it to the most stable setting (can't remember the name of the stable one but the manual is clear about it). Brad's review seemed to say it was pretty good with the stable setting from the dock but still I'm a bit worried. I'm considering this lens for my D500 more so than my Canon bodies but still waiting for more reports.
Looking forward to what you find over the coming weeks. Great shots of the mallards in flight....results look very good.
arbitrage wrote:
Your point number 4 about the VF stability is actually one of two reasons I sold my Sigma 150-600C. Even after using the dock setting to set it at the most stable option it was just a little too annoying to me after years of rock solid VF stability from Canon IS. The OS worked to spec but the VF bugged me. There were other reasons I sold it but that was a key one.
I have the Sigma 150-600 C as well. The VF shake is nowhere near as bad on the 500 SPORT.
lowa2 wrote:
I have the Sigma 150-600 C as well. The VF shake is nowhere near as bad on the 500 SPORT.
That doesn't sound good!! But with a longer lens you will have more VF shake usually anyways just because you can't hold it as stead with the weight. Let me know how it is after tuning it with the dock!!
arbitrage wrote:
That doesn't sound good!! But with a longer lens you will have more VF shake usually anyways just because you can't hold it as stead with the weight. Let me know how it is after tuning it with the dock!!
arbitrage wrote:
That doesn't sound good!! But with a longer lens you will have more VF shake usually anyways just because you can't hold it as stead with the weight. Let me know how it is after tuning it with the dock!!
So, dynamic OS is FAR better than standard OS. The VF basically stops moving. It's not the floaty VF of a Canon, it really STOPS moving.
arbitrage wrote:
Oh...I misread that.....that is good news then!!
So you had noticed the 150-600C to be not all that stable also then? when I asked about it way back when on the forum most felt it was really stable.
I found the same thing with the 150-600C, even compared to the older 150-500 Sigma who's OS was rock solid in the viewfinder. Adjustment with the dock helped a lot, but I never got used to it
I can't help wondering how much of IQ is due to the Sigma vs due to the 1Dx
Either way, this lens is beginning to look like a real contender for future inclusion in my kit
Thanks for sharing your impressions, and great sample shots! Definitely looks like the AF can keep pace with fast subjects. Hopefully you find it works well with the 1.4 tc.
Thanks for sharing the images and the initial impression on the lens. Looks like we have a winner here.
The images with 2X tc are sharp as well, although they look like taken from a close distance.
Hope with a little bit of tweaking with the dock, the minor issues would be removed, and above all better customization of the lens could be made to suit your style.
Pray the snow storm gets over quickly and you get have a great weekend.
I can't help wondering how much of IQ is due to the Sigma vs due to the 1Dx
Either way, this lens is beginning to look like a real contender for future inclusion in my kit
I was wondering that myself. I guess I'll take out the 5D3, 7D2, 1D4 and give them all a try! !
Lauchlan Toal wrote:
Thanks for sharing your impressions, and great sample shots! Definitely looks like the AF can keep pace with fast subjects. Hopefully you find it works well with the 1.4 tc.
I'd say it's pretty good. When I did my job, the lens/camera did it's job. If I drifted off course of the bird, the AF changed but that is not the equipment's fault.
I counted 14 shots in a row on a rapidly panning mallard in perfect focus. I was impressed, especially since there was absolutely no light to speak of.
PIXPHATIC wrote:
Thanks for sharing the images and the initial impression on the lens. Looks like we have a winner here.
The images with 2X tc are sharp as well, although they look like taken from a close distance.
Hope with a little bit of tweaking with the dock, the minor issues would be removed, and above all better customization of the lens could be made to suit your style.
Pray the snow storm gets over quickly and you get have a great weekend.
Thanks again.
yes the dives were pretty close, about 35-40 feet.
I did change the mode switches to the following
OFF - STANDARD AF - STANDARD OS
C1 - FAST AF - DYNAMIC OS
C2 - SLOWER AF (VIDEO) - SMOOTH OS
Of note, once thing that I DO NOT like about the lens is the switches. They easily get changed, but that will be fixed soon when I get a lens coat.
!